Fly-fishing, deep sea fishing, crab hunting, net casting, spear fishing – in New Caledonia, fishing is simultaneously a leisure activity, a means of subsistence and a part of the local heritage. With either ancestral or modern techniques, fishing is a part of the DNA of the South Pacific archipelago.

Kanak culture

New Caledonia is a unique archipelago in the Pacific. You can choose to come and immerse yourself in the core of Kanak culture. To do this, nothing’s better than staying with a tribe. Along the Eastern cost and on the islands, traditions are still very much alive.

Nouméa, the capital city of New Caledonia is on the ocean. Several bays extend along the city, providing magnificent beaches and points of view. Besides its natural features, Nouméa also has very attractive cultural offerings for tourists who choose to visit there.

From Ouvéa to the Isle of Pines, passing through Lifou, Tiga and Maré, the five islands bordering the Mainland, Grande Terre to the East are yet more gems to discover. From the blue hole of Hanawa at Ouvéa to the Warrior’s Leap at Wakone on Maré, via the Jokin Cliffs at Lifou or the Oro Bay on the Isle of Pines, let yourself be amazed!

The West Coast of the mainland (Grande Terre) shows off a great variety of scenery from its northern tip down to the area surrounding Nouméa. Characterised by both large spaces favouring cattle farming and a lagoon of stunning beauty, the West Coast is also host to a rich cultural heritage.

The central mountain range of the Mainland (Grande Terre) is a natural boundary, overlooking the very different faces of the East and West Coasts. Exposed to strong winds and therefore more humid, the eastern coast offers scenery with sumptuous flora. With a population of largely Melanesian origin, the East Coast has also retained a particularly charming flavour of authenticity.

The Great South, comprising the Mont-Dore and Yaté municipalities, is the most symbolic region for New Caledonia’s three main colours: blue, green and red. From the rainforest to the mining lands there are a thousand shades of green, while the ocean offers a dazzling palette of blues. But if one colour dominates the Great South, it is the specific red of its ground.

Canala
at the heart of nature

On the east coast of Grande Terre, opposite from La Foa, Canala is a jewel to be discovered, nestled at the end of an enormous bay. The town still remains largely unvisited by tourists, but still has many charms. From the Pic des Morts to the waterfalls of Ciu and Kwewa and the Nanny islets, nature has remained intact and protected. Its cascades are perfect for canoeing and lots of hiking trails pass through breathtaking landscapes.

Canala is still a town whose existence is profoundly linked with nickel mining. Several companies continue to operate in the sites of Nakéty and Boakaine.

Well before the success of “green gold,” as nickel is nicknamed locally, Canala was known for its hot springs in La Crouen. The properties of these waters, which reach 40°C, were then unanimously reputed to fight against various afflictions. The restoration of these springs may soon create yet another tourist attraction in the region.

Canala may be the next green tourism capital

Above all, Canala is perfect for green tourism. Boasting natural sites that are still very much protected and virtually untouched, it offers superb rock-climbing spots. Its rivers, mangroves, white sandbars, pebble and black sand beaches all contribute to a very green menu that passing tourists can choose from.

From the cascades at Ciu and Kwewa to the valleys of Dothio and La Pehanno, from the Pic des Morts to the Plateau de Mia, the Nanny islets and Gou and the beach at Saint-Pol, there’s no shortage of sites that offer impressive panoramic views.

Timed roads that are worth the trip

As a panorama in itself, the roads leading to Canala are also worth the trip. Coming from La Foa, the road passing through the Amieu pass gives a preview of the diversity of Caledonian environment, blending red earth, waterfalls and luxuriant forests.

The most impressive road is still the one linking Thio and Canala through the Petchécara pass. Winding and steep, it continues to operate as an alternating single-lane road from 7am to 5pm. This “timed road” is obviously something very exotic, but you should still be careful when you take it!

When it was founded in 1852, the city was named “Napoléonville” in honor of Napoléon III who was then leading France, but it still narrowly missed out on becoming the capital city of New Caledonia. Admiral Tardy de Montravel indeed fell under the charm of the location, considering that it had great potential for development. Only after the fall of the Second Empire in 1871 was the city was rechristened “Canala.”